Automatic regulator for electric circuits.



' N0 MODEL.

I 1 m C K; :1 Y r I Z/ 0; O 0 T PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

M. WADDELL. AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

M. WADDELL' AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 18, 1903.

10 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l l I l l l l l 1 4 I I I l l 1 I I i I a v 1 i l t I I 1 0 I 1| vamcpwtot No.760,091, I PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

M. WADDELL.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1903. N0 MODEL.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES Patented May 17, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR'ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,091, dated May 171904.

" Application filed June 18, 1903. $eria11l0. 162,081. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LMONTGOMERY VVADD ELL,

a subject of the King of Great Britain,residing My present inventionrelates to an improvedmeans for the regulation of electric circuits forthe production of constant current or of constant potential,or of both,in diflerent parts of a system supplied by one o nore generators.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with dynamos usedwith auxiliary secondary batteries for instance, for lighting 1)urposes'particularly where (as in car-lighting) the dynamo is mostconveniently driven at a varying rate of speed.

From one point of view this invention relates to means whereby thepercentage of variation in current or potential may be made as small aspractically desirable by causing incipient changes in the workingcircuit to produce resistance changes of large proportion in circuits soarranged with relation to the dynamo as to rapidly counterbalance thecauses of such incipient change. The end thus proposed is carried outtothe greatest extent in-the preferred embodiment hereinafter describedby causing the changes in resistance to react upon electromagnetic.apparatus which causes said changes in sucha manner as to emphasize orincrease the operative 'resistance change, and thus by accelerating theregulative effect on the dynamo to increase in a high degree thesensitiveness of the regulation.

In its preferred form this invention is adapted to be applied to thosesystems of distribution wherein a dynamo is assistedby a second arybattery in shunt with the translating devices, so as to better adapt thedynamo (even when running at varying speeds) to those variations in thecharacteristics of the battery consequent upon its progressive conditionof charge. For instance, my regulator can beso proportioned as todiminish the charging-current when the battery approaches its fullcharge, and this in spite of the rise of voltage opposed by the batteryin this condition.

Another object of my invention is the production of a simple apparatuswhich shall have one or all of the advantages above named and whereinthe usual automatic cut-out switch is replaced by an apparatus capableof performing the functions'of such switch at the proper time inaddition to the regulati've functions above outlined.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereinFigures 1 and 2 show in diagram certain simple forms of apparatus forthe regulation of shunt-wound dynamos conforming to my invention. Fig. 3is an elevation, and Fig. L is a partial side view of a preferredresistancechanger and circuit-closer.combined, as used in my invention;and Fig. 5is adiagrammatic view of an entire regulating system asemployed, for instance, in car-lighting.

While in the drawings I have shown my in vention applied exclusively toshunt-wound generators, it is to be understood that certain features ofthe invention are useful in connection with any form of dynamo orelectric machine, and I am not to be limited to its application asillustrated, except where specifically so claimed.

In Fig. 1 the dynamo is shown at 1 provided with an armature 2 and afield-winding 3 in shunt with the work-circuit 4.. 1n the forms of myinvention illustrated a secondary battery 5 is shown in shunt with thetranslating devices 6, which latter may be-of any desired character. Itis to be understood, however, that I am not limited to systems whereinsecondary batteries are used, except in so far as hereinafterspecifically claimed.

"The motive force for operation of the regulator is supplied by asolenoid 7, the primary of principaloperating-coils of which are eitherin series with the work-circuit or in shunt therewith, or both,according to the regulative results desired. In Figs. 1 and 2 theprincipal coil is connected at 8 in series with the working circuit 4:.The core 9 of the solenoid is mechanically connected in any desiredmanner, so that when operative for regulation it is opposed by anappropriate mechanical resistance, such as the spring 10 or itsequivalent. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the

core 9 is mechanically connected to the spring 10 by means of a lever11, pivotally connected to both and having its fulcrum at 12. It isobvious that various relations of the lever and its fulcrum to thepoints of attachment to the spring and the core are within thisinvention and will occur to those skilled in the art.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electrical resistance 13 is compressedbetween two abutments 1 1 and 15, the abutment 15 being pivotallyconnected to the lever 11 on the opposite side of the fulcrum from thecore 9. The resistance 13 may be of any well-known construction, suchthat changes in pressure thereon cause corresponding changes in thetotal resistance of the column. It is to be understood that while 1 haveeverywhere illustrated the column 13 as vertically placed, my inventionincludes the use of this column in any position, whether vertical,horizontal, or inclined. The spring 10 is so arranged as to exert acontinual pressure upon the column 13,

acting to squeeze the same between the abutments l4 and 15. It is thispressure which is opposed or counteracted to a greater or less extent bythe pull on the core 9, due to the electromagnetic effect of thesolenoid 7.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the resistance-column 13 is connected in series withthe field-magnet winding 3, and therefore in shunt with the workingcircuit. This is plainly shown in these figures by the small arrow-headsapplied to the fine lines representing the shunt-wires in Fig. 1, andwires 16 and 17 lead directly from the two ends of the resistance 13and-are coiled around the solenoid 7 in such a direction as to assistthe pull of the series coil entering at 8. This is clearly indicated onthe solenoid by the identical direction of the top and bottom arrows onsaid solenoid. The coil supplied by 16 and 17 will be called theauxiliary coil, since it aids in producing greater sensitiveness andfiner regulation. This is true whether wound as in Fig.1 or as anopposing-coil, as in Fig. 2. Following now the circuits in Fig. 1, itwill be seen that current leaving the positive brush of the dynamobranches from the working circuit at 18, passes through the column 13and out by the wire 19 to that extremity or terminal of the field-magnetwinding which is not directly connected to the armature-brush. At thesame time a portion of this current is diverted through the wires 16 and17 into the auxiliary coil. It is evident that the amount of current sodiverted into the auxiliary coil will be greater in proportion as theresistance of the column 13 is greater. By suitably proportioning thenumber of turns in the auxiliary coil with relation to the normalcurrent and the number of turns in the main coil entering at 8 on thesolenoid a relatively small current in the auxiliary coil can be givenalmost any desired proportion of the work of regulation, andconsequently small current changes in the auxiliary coil may be made toproduce relatively large differences in the ampere-turns effectivelyapplied to the core 9.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is suitable for those cases whereintranslating devices 6 are operated by a dynamo 1, which is driven atvarying rates of speedas, for instance, where the dynamo is driven bythe axle of a car for lighting the same. It is desirable in a system ofthis kind that a practically constant current should be employed forcharging the battery 5, and in producing the regulation necessary tothis end my device acts as follows: Assuming the speed of the dynamo torise slightly, the incipient increase of current, due primarily to thisrise, causes increased effect on the core 9, and thus decreases thecompressive action of the spring 10 on the column 13. This increases there sistance of the column and tends to weaken the field-magnet. At thesame time this very increase of resistance sends more current throughthe auxiliary coil, which assisting the series coil still furtherincreases the resistance at 13. As the field-magnet decreases instrength the effect of the series coil is lessened, and this decrease ineffect of the series coil, together with increase of effect in theauxiliary coil, is continued until (a constant new speed of dynamo beingreached) a balance is found in the regulator corresponding to justenough rise of current in the coils of the solenoid in maintaining theweakening effect on the field-magnets. It is obvious from what has beenstated that the necessary rise'in the working current is small inproportion as the auxiliary coil is made effective in the increasing ofthe resistance at 13. It is thus that the auxiliary coil increases thesensitiveness of the regulation.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modification wherein the auxiliary coil, while itis connected on one side to one end of the column 13, is connected onthe other side by the wire 20 directly to the negative brush of thedynamo. The auxiliary coil in this case is connected in shunt around thefield-winding instead of being placed in shunt around the resistance 13.

Since both the field-magnet and the auxiliary' coil, in the form shownin Fig. 2, are in series with the resistance 13, it is clear that as theresistance 13 increases the auxiliary coil takes less current. For thisreason the auxiliary coil, in the form shown in Fig. 2, must be so woundas to oppose the main 01' series coil. This is indicated on the drawingsby the opposed direction given to the upper and lower arrows on thesolenoid 7. The form shown in Fig. 1 is preferred.

At 21 in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown the wellknown circuit-closing solenoid,whichinsures the closing of the main circuit at the proper time and theopening thereof when the dynamo slows down sufficiently to allow ofreverse current in the dynamo-circuitdue to the action of the battery 5.Ihave found thatthe functions of this last-named device can beadvantageously combined with a still further improved form of regulator,andIhave shown means for this purpose in Figs. 3, 4, and 5.

It is obvious that as a dynamo is started up from a state of rest therewill be a considerable interval of time during which the current andpotential will be far below this normal average condition. It isdesirable that during this interval the regulator Which I have describedshould be inactive so far as changes in the resistance-column 13 areconcerned. This is clear from the fact that the degree of usefulvariation in resistance in any column of this character is limited, andit is therefore most expedient to utilize the total variation inresistance over only the average working conditions of the system. Fromthis purpose I have devised a modification of my regulator wherein thevariations in pressure on the resistance-column do not come into playuntil there has been developed in the circuits to be controlled apotential approximating normal conditions. One form of regulator forthis purpose is shown in Figs. 3and 4, wherein the solenoid 3 operatesupon the core 9, inward movement of which is opposed by an appropriatemechanical resistance, such as the weight 22 or the spring 23 in Fig. 5.By using such a mechanical resistance it is clear that the solenoid doesnot move inward until a suificient current is supplied to the solenoidto overcome such resistance.

The resistance-columns 13 are preferably located on the two sides of thesolenoid, and the pressure-yoke 24 bears on the top of each of thesecolumns. The yoke 24 is supplied with a hollow sleeve 25, into which isloosely fitted the plunger 26, bearing on a spring 27. The plunger 26 isheld fast by a set-screw 28 in a socket 29, which socket is attached toa swivelpin 30, fitting in the socket 31. This construction permits of acertain amount of pive otal play to allow for slight variations in thetotal height of the .two columns 13. Associated with the yoke 24 are twoterminals 32 and 33 for closing the series circuit of the solenoid, asmore clearly shown in Fig. 5. A ram or plunger 34 passes downward with aloose fit through the pole-piece 34 and is attached to the top of thecore 9. The bridging-piece, of metal, 35 is carried upon and insulatedfrom said ram, as shown. The top of the core 9 is best made conical, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and the pole-piece 34* is alsoconically hollowed, as, shown. This lessens the difference in magneticeffect, due to approach of the core and pole-piece. When the solenoid isenergized by a sufficient current, the weight 22 or spring 23 isovercome, and the core 9 moves inward, so as to bring the bridging-piece35 upward into contact with the terminals 32 and 33. These terminals maybe associated in any practical manner with the yoke 24, and in the formshown they comprise the flexible metallic plates fastened, as at 36,behind the yoke 24 and extending forward in a horizontal positionbeneath the insulating-plate 37 under said yoke. In this constructionthe bridging-piece 35 first closes circuit and then immediately beginsto exert upward pressure on the yoke 24 against the spring 27, thustending to increase the resistance in the columns 13. As applied in itspreferred form the last-described apparatus is used as shown in Fig. 5,wherein the dynamo is shown at 1, the secondary battery at 5, and thesolenoid is composed of three coils 7 7 and 7 The coil 7, which mayconveniently represent about half of the ampereturns on the solenoid, isin series with the working circuit 4. The coil 7 which may compriseabout one-third of all the ampereturns, is in shunt with the circuitbetween the negative brushand the point 38. The coil 7 is in shuntaround the resistances 13, these resistances being brought in circuitthrough the yoke 24, connected to 38 by the wire 39. While the coil 7 cis in shunt with the resistances, these resistances are themselves inseries with the field-magnet winding, being convoltage supplied by thebattery 5.

That portion of the entire system illustrated in Fig. 5 which has thusfar been described constitutes in itself a useful regulated system ofelectrical distribution. While illustrated in connection with a batteryand a magnetoelectric generator in multiple are, it is clear that it isapplicable to amagneto-electric generator alone or to multiple-arccombinations of generators one or more of which are magneto-electric. A

It is desirable in many instances that the system so far describedshould be employed for the operation of translating devices 6, designedfor constant-potential circuits. In order that this combination may bemade efi'ective, I prefer to supply the additional regulating meansshown in Fig. 5. In this latter regulator the magnet 40, havingaxpole-piece 41, operates on an armature 42, pivoted at 43 and operatinga plunger 44, which works against a spring 45. The resistance-column 46,shown made in accordance with the hereinafter-described mode ofconstructiomis kept constantly under pressure by means of a lever 47,kept under the influence of a spring 48. It will be seen that after themagnet 40 reaches a predetermined strength sufficient to overcome thespring 45 the plunger 44 will impinge upon the lever 47 and begin tocounteract the effort of the spring 48, thus proportionally increasingthe resistance in the column 46. Thus it is shown that the principle ofthe use of two mechanical resistances opposing the solenoid hithertodescribed may be embodied in connection with a leverage system. Thecolumn 46 is in series with that part of the Working circuit 4 whichleads directly to the translating devices 6. The magnet 40 is in shuntwith this working circuit, being connected with a wire 49, leading outof the working circuit beyond the switch 50. It will thus be seen thatthe power of the magnet 40 is governed by the potential existing acrossthe translating devices in multiple are. As one or more of thesetranslating devices is cut out the resistance of the remainder increasesand a larger volume of current passes through the magnet 40. This causesa stronger attraction of the armature 42 and increases the resistance at46, thus decreasing the current in proportion to decreased call forcurrent due to cutting out of translating devices.

The various parts of my invention are susceptible of many modificationsin detail without departing from the scope of the invention, and I amnot to be understood as limiting myself to the exact structure hereinshown and described.

What I claim is 1. In combination with a shunt-wound generator, avariable-resistance device in series with the field-magnet winding,electromagnetic means for controlling said resistance, a coil on saidelectromagnetic means in series with the workingcircuit of the generatorand a second coil on said means connected on one side to said Workingcircuit and on the other side to the field-magnet windings between saidwindings and said variable resistance, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a shunt-wound generator,'a column ofconducting-bodies in series with the field-magnet winding of thegenerator, means for exerting pressure on said column, electromagneticmeans for controlling the pressure so exerted, a coil on saidelectromagnetic means in series with the working circuit of thegenerator and a second coil on said means connected on one side to saidworking circuit and on the other side to the field magnet windingbetween said winding and the variable resistance, substantially asdescribed.

3. In combination with a shunt-wound generator, a column ofconducting-bodies in series with the field-magnet winding of thegenerator and electromagnetic means for control ling the degree ofmutual pressure between said conducting-bodies, said means comprising acoil in series with the working circuit of the generator and a secondcoil connected.

on one side to said working circuit and on the other side to thefield-magnet winding between said winding and the variable resistance,substantially as described.

4C. In combination with a shunt-wound generator, a variable-resistancedevice in series with the field-magnet windings, electromagnetic meansfor controlling said resistance, a coil on said electromagnetic means inseries with the working circuit of the generator and a second coil onsaid means having its two ends connected respectively to the twoextremities of the variable resistance, substantially as described.

5. In automatic means for regulating electric circuits, an electricalresistance controllable by variations in pressure and an electromagneticdevice for causing changes in pressure on said resistance, said'devicecomprising a primary mechanical resistance, a secondary mechanicalresistance exerting pressure on said electric resistance and a movablemember all so arranged that progressive mo vement of the movable memberis opposed by said primary and secondary mechanical resistancessuccessively, substantially as described.

6. In automatic means for regulating electric circuits, an electricalresistance controllable by variations in pressure, an electromagneticcoil and armature, a spring for opposing initial operative relativemovement between said coil and armature and a second spring exertingpressure on said electrical resistance and so placed that said pressureis opposed by said coil and armature during the latter part of saidrelative movement, substantially as described.

7. In an automatic means for regulating electric circuits, an electricalresistance controllable by variations in pressure, a pressure devicebearing thereon, two electromagnetic coils, a movable armature andcircuit-closing means for one of said coils in the path of movement ofsaid armature, all so arranged that as the armature moves under theinfluence of one of said coils, itfirst closes circuit through the othercoil by contact with said means and then exerts an effort in oppositionto said pressure device, substantially as described.

8. In an automatic means for regulating electric circuits, an electricalresistance controllable by variations in pressure, a pressure devicebearing thereon and an electromagnetic device for controlling thepressure on said resistance, said device comprising two coils, a movablearmature and circuit-closing means for one of said coils in the path ofmovement of said armature, all so arranged that, as the armature movesunder the influence of one of said coils, it first closes circuitthrough the other coil by contact with said terminals and then exerts aneffort in opposition to said pressure device, substantially asdescribed.

9. In an automatic means for regulating electric circuits, an electricalresistance controllable by variations in pressure, a pressuredevicebearing thereon, two electromagnetic coils, a movable armature,means tending to oppose initial motion of said armature, and

circuit-closing terminals for one of said coils in the path of movementof said armature all so arranged that, as the armature moves under theinfluence of one of said coils, it first overcomes said initial opposingmeans, then closes circuit through the other coil by conreachesoperative position for control of said' pressure, it first overcomessaid initial opposing means and then closes circuit through the opencircuit-coil by contact with said terminals, substantially as described.

11. A shunt-wound generator, aregulatingcoil in series with the workingcircuit thereof, a second coil in shunt with said working circuit, anarmature influenced by both of said coils, a variable electricalresistance capable of variation by pressure normally in circuit with thegenerator, a pressure device bearing thereon and terminals for closingsaid series circuit-coil in the path of movement of said armature, allso arranged that the first movement of the armature closes the workingcircuit and brings the armature intoposition to exert action upon saidpressure device in opposition thereto, substantially as described.

12. A shunt-wound generator, a regulatingcoil in shunt with the workingcircuit thereof, circuit-closing means for said working circuit and avariable resistance in circuit with the generator for its regulation; incombination with an armature operated by said shuntcoil and meansconnected to said armature adapted to successively operate saidcircuitclosing means and produce changes in said variable resistance,substantially as described.

13. A shunt-wound generator, aregulatingcoil in series with the workingcircuit thereof, a second coil in shunt with said working circuit, avariable electrical resistance capable of variation by pressure,normally in circuit with said generator, 2. third coil in shunt aroundsaid resistance, an armature influenced by all three of said coils, apressure device for said resistance and terminals for closing theworking circuit, all so arranged that the first movement of the armaturecloses the working circuit and brings the armature into position to eert an opposing action upon said pressure device, substantially asdescribed.

14. Ashunt-wound generator, a regulating coil in series with the workingcircuit thereof, a second coil in shunt with said working circuit, avariable electrical resistance capable of variation by pressure,normally in circuit with said generator, a third coil in shunt aroundsaid resistance, an armature for governing said resistance influenced byall three of said coils and terminals for closing the Working circuit,all so arranged that, before the moving armature reaches operativeposition for governing said resistance, it first closes the workingcircuit, substantially as described.

15. A shunt-wound generator, a variable electrical resistance-columncapable of variation by pressure, a compression-bar at one end of saidresistance-column and a solenoid beside said resistance comprising threecoils, the first coil being in series with the working circuit of thegenerator, the second coil being in shunt therewith and the third coilbeing in shunt across the ends of said resistance; in combination with asolenoid-core within said coils adapted to bear against saidcompressionbar and circuit-closing terminals in the path of movement ofthe core arranged to cooperate with said solenoid-core for closing saidworking circult, substantially as described.

16. Two generators in parallel on a common work-circuit, one of which ismagneto-electric and shunt-wound, a regulating-coil in shunt with theworking circuit, circuit-closing means for said working circuit and avariable resistance in circuit with the magneto-electric generator; incombination with an armature operated by said shunt-coil and meansconnected with said armature adapted to successively operate saidcircuit-closing means and produce changes in said variable resistance,substantially as described.

17. In combination with a shunt-wound generator, a working circuittherefor and a secondary battery connected across said working circuit;a variable-resistance device in series with the field-magnet windings,electromagnetic means for controlling said resistance, a coil on saidelectromagnetic means in series with the working circuit and a secondcoil on said means connected on one side to the working circuit and onthe other side to the fieldmagnet winding between said winding and thevariable resistance, substantially as described.

18. In combination with a shunt-wound generator, a working circuittherefor and a secondary battery connected across said working ondarybattery connected across said working circuit; a variable-resistancedevice in series w1th the field-magnet wlndings, electromag- IO neticmeans for controlling said resistance, a

coil on said electromagnetic means in series with the working circuit ofthe generator and a second coil on said means having its two endsconnected respectively to the two extremities of the variableresistance, substan- 5 tially as described.

1\ IONTGOMERY WVADDELL. WVitnesses:

H. S. MAoKAYn, FLORENCE PICK.

